Month: December 2016

Thank you, WGN-TV, for your coverage last night of our community Carols and Candles event. With about 150 people in attendance, the Shrine was able to spread Christmas joy, peace and love throughout the Woodlawn neighborhood.

Thank you to all those who helped make this event possible, especially Gabriel Piemonte who spearheaded the jubilant gathering.

The parapet walls are 50% covered for winter protection! Berglund Construction has been on site installing plastic tarp over the parapet walls to keep out the winter elements. The temperature has dropped significantly this week in Chicago. Once there is a break in the cold weather, the work will resume on the tower.

Support the restoration of the tower at GoFundMe.com/ShrineFireFund. Donate $250 or more and receive a beautiful Infant King Rosary from Italy!

This is our version of “brown paper packages wrapped up with string”. The parapet walls of the Shrine are being covered with tarp to prevent the winter elements from damaging the interior cavity walls. Winter has hit in Chicago and the steel will not be set until the spring – this coverage will help protect the building.

Berglund Construction was on site today and started the tarping of the open parapet wall. A plastic tarp is being trapped over the parapet and is attached to the inside and the outside to protect the cavity wall from the harsh winter conditions. This process will take about two weeks.

Simpson Gumpertz & Heger (SGH) was on site Friday, December 2nd, and conducted sound testing of the concrete floor, deck and lintels in the Bell Tower. Scaffolding was built up inside and to the south side of the tower to obtain access. Sound testing is done to evaluate the structural integrity of the concrete and to confirm if there was any major damage done due to the fire.

During our Bell Tower Mini Campaign to raise $200,000, the Shrine is offering a special rosary for donations of $250 or more. These limited edition rosaries are specially made for us in Italy, featuring the Infant King medallion in the rosary’s center. The rosary comes in either brown wood or faux pearl, each in its own keepsake box. This Christmas and beyond, remember our dear Infant King’s promise as you pray the rosary: “The more you honor Me, the more I will bless you.”

If you donate $250.00 or more, please privately message our Shrine Facebook page or GoFundMe page whether you wish to receive the brown wood or the faux pearl rosary, and please provide your mailing address so that the rosary can be mailed to you. Visit: GoFundMe.com/ShrineFireFund